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Gov. Tim Pawlenty - The Republican has fought with Democratic lawmakers about road, bridge and transit spending for several years, and the dispute intensified following the Minneapolis bridge collapse. Pawlenty defends his transportation commissioner, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, from Democrats' criticism, but rarely is seen publicly with her. Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau - Senators have not confirmed Molnau in her job as transportation commissioner, and many Senate Democrats plan to oust her from the post when the Legislature convenes beginning Feb. 12.

ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Legislature's upcoming battle over transportation spending could lack a key element of most Capitol funding decisions: negotiations with the governor. After more than three years of failing to reach a deal on transportation funding with Gov. Tim Pawlenty and six months since the Minneapolis bridge collapse, top DFL lawmakers say they will take a different route this year. The 2008 legislative session convenes Feb.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota schools and teachers hope more state dollars will be directed their way this year, but an economic downturn may mean they could instead face budget cuts. In advance of the upcoming 2008 legislative session, key lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty are indicating there will be little new spending as the state looks for ways to fix a projected $373 million budget deficit.

ST. PAUL -- The fate of an electric transmission line project in western Minnesota may rest on who regulators decide has better predictions. Utility companies seeking to build a power plant in South Dakota and boost electric transmission capacity in western Minnesota say a coal-fired plant is the most cost-effective option.

ST. PAUL -- Agreement on new federal agriculture policies still could be at least two months away, and top negotiators told a conservation group Saturday that may put increased funding for their favorite projects at risk. Conservationists stand to benefit from billions of dollars in new and expanded programs included in the House and Senate farm bills, but officials said a final deal is nowhere in sight. "While we may not see the path to finish at this moment, the desire to finish is overwhelming," said Chuck Conner, acting U.S.